More New England Patriots Stars Say They Won’t Go to Trump White House
Six New England Patriots players have a message for the Trump White House: We’re just not that into you.
Since the team won an historic fifth Super Bowl with a stunning come-from-behind victory over the Atlanta Falcons in overtime on February 5th, a growing number of players on the team have told the press that they would turn down an invite to commemorate their victory at the White House.
And while some have not explicitly cited President Donald Trump and his policies as the reason — some have — and the number of players planning to boycott a future photo-op is unprecedented compared to years past.
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“We’ve never seen anything like this,” Edge of Sports writer and Nation contributor Dave Zirin told NBC News on Friday. “It has extra meaning coming from a team that all over social media — by both sides — was being called ‘Team Trump.'”
President Trump does enjoy a close personal friendship with team owner Robert Kraft, and has touted the endorsements of coach Bill Belichick and star quarterback Tom Brady. In an interview with Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly prior to the Super Bowl, he conceded that his public fandom was making the Patriots polarizing.
“They’re taking a lot of heat. But you know what? They’re also getting a lot of popularity out of it. I think they’re going to do very well. Tom’s a winner,” he said.
Both before and after the game, tight end Martellus Bennett was the first player to say he wouldn’t join his teammates at any future White House celebration. Bennett made it very clear…